Ollie Johnson-CHECKLIST

Below is a great checklist when approaching a scene. Maybe it will help someone. I like to xerox #16 and have it in front of me as a reminder.1. Can you visualize your plan of action ?
You can’t draw it if you can’t see it.

2. Do you know what the character is thinking, how he feels ?
How are you going to show that he is thinking ?
His mood will affect how much you move him and the speed with which you do it.
Texture in timing.

3. If you have dialogue, study it carefully and keep in mind things mentioned above.

4.MOST IMPORTANT – are you looking for ENTERTAINMENT ?

5. Try to think personality on action scenes as well as close-up personality. Every drawing in the scene should show attitudes and
acting.

6. Know all about the sequence you are working on. Your scene has to fit into it.

7. Don’t start animating until you are sure the layout is right and your character fits into it.

8. Work for good silhouette with interesting design. A good test is to colour your drawing in solid.

9. Be sure your action is clear and that you are only doing one thing at a time. You can’t put it all in one scene.

10. Don’t forget squash and stretch.

11. Does your character have weight and balance – is it solid ?

12. Do some small thumbnails of your action and staging for a series of scenes.

13. Watch out for static drawings where everything is facing the same way. Look for rhythm-twists, check for parallels.